X-ray Fluoroscopy Superimposition for Vessel Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating fractional flow reserve (FFR) in body vessels face challenges such as low spatial resolution in non-invasive CT FFR methods and complex blood flow estimation in minimally-invasive angio FFR methods, leading to imprecise geometry representation and lack of myocardial mass information.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating an x-ray device that involves creating planning information for therapeutic interventions using three-dimensional reconstructions of body vessel segments, registering these reconstructions with fluoroscopy recordings, and superimposing graphical representations of planning information onto real-time fluoroscopy images to enhance precision and efficiency of interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If non-invasive CT FFR method is used, then three-dimensional model of entire vascular tree and myocardial mass information are obtained, but spatial resolution and geometry representation precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CT data (providing myocardial mass information and three-dimensional vascular tree) with angiography data (providing high spatial resolution) into a hybrid FFR calculation approach. This merging allows the system to leverage the strengths of both methods: the comprehensive anatomical information from CT and the precise stenosis geometry from angiography, thereby resolving the contradiction between information completeness and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite imaging approach by integrating two different imaging modalities (CT and angiography) into a unified FFR calculation framework. This composite method uses CT for global anatomical context and myocardial mass assessment, while using angiography for precise local stenosis characterization, thus achieving both comprehensive information and high precision simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If minimally-invasive angio FFR method is used, then spatial resolution and stenosis geometry representation are improved, but blood flow estimation complexity and myocardial mass information are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses CT-derived three-dimensional vascular tree and myocardial mass data as an intermediary to simplify blood flow estimation in the angio FFR method. Instead of directly estimating complex blood flow dynamics from angiography alone, the system uses CT anatomical information as a foundation and refines it with angiographic stenosis geometry, thereby reducing estimation complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary CT scanning to obtain three-dimensional vascular tree and myocardial mass information before the angiography procedure. This preliminary action prepares the anatomical framework in advance, so that during the angiography, only stenosis geometry needs to be precisely measured, significantly simplifying the overall blood flow estimation process while maintaining high precision.
3Loss of information
If CT FFR method is used, then myocardial mass and perfusion flow information are obtained, but spatial resolution of stenosis geometry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CT data (providing perfusion flow information and myocardial mass) with angiography data (providing high-precision stenosis geometry) into a hybrid FFR calculation. This combination allows the system to retain the perfusion information advantage of CT while achieving the geometric precision advantage of angiography, thereby resolving the contradiction between information completeness and geometric precision.
4Measurement precision
If angio FFR method is used, then spatial resolution is improved, but information about myocardial mass and vascular tree is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines angiography (providing high spatial resolution for stenosis) with CT (providing complete vascular tree and myocardial mass information) into a unified FFR calculation framework. This merging ensures that both the local precision of angiography and the global anatomical context of CT are preserved, thereby resolving the contradiction between spatial resolution and information completeness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the accuracy and efficiency of therapeutic interventions by providing direct comparison of current and planned situations, reducing radiation dose and contrast medium usage, and enabling precise planning and visualization of interventions.
Implementation Method 1
creating a recording, in particular a fluoroscopy, of the body vessel segment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an x-ray device, (e.g., a fluoroscope), is described herein. The method includes: creating planning information for a therapeutic intervention into a body vessel segment based on a reconstruction of the body vessel segment; providing the planning information to a processing unit of the x-ray device; providing the reconstruction of the body vessel segment to the processing unit; creating a recording of the body vessel segment introduced into a recording region of the x-ray device; registering the reconstruction of the body vessel segment with the body vessel segment in the recording region of the x-ray device; displaying the recording of the body vessel segment on a display device of the x-ray device; and superimposing a graphical representation of the planning information on the recording displayed on the display device, in order to increase the efficiency of the therapeutic intervention into the body vessel segment.